'Salic' derives from the Salic Franks on ancient Earth whose law code mandated Agnatic succession, that is in the male line only. This is the default rule of succession in the Barrayaran common law frequently circumvented by the Counts' recognized right to choose their successor. Undoubtedly there have been numerous cases of sister's sons or daughter's sons being so recognized and anything done twice on Barrayar creates a 'tradition'.